Thoughts on Tabor's game management?

[Saca312]

I recently saw this thread on the Panthers subreddit, and thought it was also worth discussing here.

Tabor was pretty unconventional this weekend. Recognizing the elements at hand, he even planned for that. Rather than have Piñero at kickoff, he opted for Kamu Grugier-Hill to handle that. In the details, that allowed for an extra defender to take the field on a day where the elements were not favorable for normal kicking conditions. Squib kicking and ensuring coverage was sound was definitely a gameplan I don't think I've really seen emulated across the NFL.

Additionally, calling the timeout during the first quarter to ensure the punt would not face the full wrath of the wind was also of interest. Found that to be a rather useful element in the conditions that they played in.

All in all, I'd say I was rather pleased with Tabor's management and his touch on the special teams aspect of the game. Seemed like he was having his own fun coming up with these ideas and implementing them.

Small details in the grand scheme of things, but in a game of inches, they may have made a difference.

[The Natural]

I came in here to point out the timeout that allowed us to punt with the wind. I thought that showed gameday awareness we haven't seen in years.

[Khaki Lackey]

Another win or two and Tabor might gain some Wilks/Chuck Norris-like mythological legend status.

[thebdawg]

It was extremely impressive, especially when contrasted with Frank’s game management (the epic 59 yard field goal decision against Chicago) 

[45catfan]

Just now, thebdawg said:

It was extremely impressive, especially when contrasted with Frank’s game management (the epic 59 yard field goal decision against Chicago) 

Tabor signed off on that decision, FYI.

[45catfan]

The punt and KO ploys aside, the end of game is where I think he shined.  I was thinking the same thing, we had the timeouts (they didn't) and enough downs to run the clock all the way down.  Why give the ball back to them?  There was a greater probability that they marched down the field after we scored a TD than Eddy missing a chip shot FG.

[CRA]

4 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

Tabor signed off on that decision, FYI.

Did he? 

Last I heard was them acknowledging the coaches did not all agree on what Frank did in that moment.   Sure didn't look like the kicker thought it was a good idea. 

[45catfan]

Just now, CRA said:

Did he? 

Last I heard was them acknowledging the coaches did not all agree on what Frank did in that moment.   Sure didn't look like the kicker thought it was a good idea. 

I read it somewhere, I think the official site.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

6 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

The punt and KO ploys aside, the end of game is where I think he shined.  I was thinking the same thing, we had the timeouts (they didn't) and enough downs to run the clock all the way down.  Why give the ball back to them?  There was a greater probability that they marched down the field after we scored a TD than Eddy missing a chip shot FG.

One of the scarce scenarios where playing for the field goal is the right strategy.

[WhoKnows]

15 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

Tabor signed off on that decision, FYI.

It’s one thing for the ST coach to say that we can make a 59 yard FG, but it’s another to game plan for a 59 yard FG versus game planning to try to get a much easier FG knowing the worst case scenario you know the limits.

Our ST coach should absolutely know and say what the kicker’s limit is that day based on conditions and how the kicker is feeling/practicing.

[WhoKnows]

16 minutes ago, CRA said:

Did he? 

Last I heard was them acknowledging the coaches did not all agree on what Frank did in that moment.   Sure didn't look like the kicker thought it was a good idea. 

Doesn’t matter if Tabor said he can make a 59 yarder or not. Reich owns the decision and more importantly should have made some calls to just get closer. I seem to recall that the play calls we made were not of the sort to get us to say a 50 yarder, which is a much more manageable kick.

[45catfan]

19 minutes ago, CRA said:

Did he? 

Last I heard was them acknowledging the coaches did not all agree on what Frank did in that moment.   Sure didn't look like the kicker thought it was a good idea. 

https://www.panthers.com/video/chris-tabor-on-ihmir-smith-marsette-s-return-td

Who knows who was trying to cover for whom, but Frank apparently didn't go rogue against the rest of the coaching staff.  I mean, one would think he consulted Tabor on such an important STs matter.

[45catfan]

6 minutes ago, WhoKnows said:

It’s one thing for the ST coach to say that we can make a 59 yard FG, but it’s another to game plan for a 59 yard FG versus game planning to try to get a much easier FG knowing the worst case scenario you know the limits.

Our ST coach should absolutely know and say what the kicker’s limit is that day based on conditions and how the kicker is feeling/practicing.

Eddy supposedly hit from 60 yards that same direction in pregame and the reason the decision was green lighted.

[TheBigKat]

based off watching moRON Rivera for years and his game management, Tabor is light years ahead